Giovanna's Road To Recovery

On the morning of November 1, 2018 I received a call from my mother (Saundra Petrulli Dole) that my sister Giovanna had fallen out of a hammock and landed on her head and she was being rushed to the hospital by ambulance.  By the time she got there she was completely paralyzed from her shoulders down.  She was rushed in for immediate surgery.  She had crushed her vertebrae in the fall and the surgery was to try and repair the damage.  The surgeons put pins in through the back of her neck to hold her vertebrae in place.  She spent almost 2 weeks in the ICU with a neck brace on to keep her neck stable.  During this time she regained movement in her left arm, and then a few days later in her right.  Finally she was able to have her second surgery where they went in through the front of her neck and put in a plate to secure the pins from the first surgery.  The surgeons were then able to remove her neck brace.  Giovanna spent a few days in a regular room recovering.  Through all of this she started having spinal spasms which are currently under control with daily medications.  She also developed Autonomic Dysreflexia, which is also being treated with daily medications.  Currently Giovanna is in the rehabilitation center at the hospital and will be there for at least a month.  Her left arm continues to be the stronger of her arms and she is able to control her movements.  She is still working on her right arm, but we are all hoping she gains the strength and control that she has in her left arm.  She also is now able to move both of her wrists.  Although she still has no feeling in either of her hands or fingers we all remain hopeful.  Giovanna still has not regained feeling or movement from her torso down.  She has to be harnessed in and out of bed to be put into her electric wheelchair in order to get around. The doctors do not think that she will ever walk again.  None of us know what the road ahead holds for her.  All we can do is pray and stay positive.  She is determined to be independent again.  Her perseverance during her daily therapy is amazing!  She has a very long journey in front of her.  At this time, we are unsure what she will need in order to go about her day to day life.  We are asking for donations to help cover whatever it is she may require as time goes on.  Even if it's a small amount, it would be greatly appreciated, anything would help at this point.  If you are unable to give a monetary donation, we all ask that you please keep Giovanna in your prayers.  This is a very traumatic and unexpected tragedy that has impacted our family in a way that none of us could have imagined.  As her big sister I want to be able to fix her and make all of this go away.  Unfortunately I can't, so I felt like this is something that I can do for her.
Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this.  Please feel free to share her story with anyone that you know.  From all of her family, we deeply appreciate any help that comes her way.  Hold your loved ones tight, and cherish every moment that you have, you never know what tomorrow may bring.